Stronger daily rhythms linked to lower risk of irregular heartbeat
Each 0.11-unit rise in an activity-rest rhythm measure was linked to a 25% lower relative risk of atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat.
Our read
Populations- Studied:
- Cohort study of 2,192 older adults without atrial fibrillation, average 4.7 years
- What changed:
- Atrial fibrillation risk was 25% lower per 0.11-unit rise in daily activity-rest rhythm strength
- The catch:
- Electrocardiograms and diagnostic codes can miss intermittent atrial fibrillation episodes
- Why it’s aging research:
- It bears on staying healthy in midlife and later life.
Editor of record: Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
The 2,192 older adults in this observational cohort study had no atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, when monitoring began. Their average age was 79; 58% were women and 27% were Black. They wore a continuous monitor for at least three days in 2016–2017. Researchers used its motion data to measure daily activity-rest rhythms.
Over an average 4.7 years, 238 participants (10.9%) developed atrial fibrillation. Higher relative amplitude, a measure of the contrast between active and restful periods, was associated with lower risk after accounting for demographics and other health conditions. The association persisted after excluding cases occurring within two years of monitoring and after accounting for time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Why it matters
The authors suggested that disruption of the body’s 24-hour timing may be a risk factor for atrial fibrillation in older adults.
Caveats
Other health differences could have influenced both activity-rest rhythms and atrial fibrillation risk despite the adjustments. The findings concern adults averaging 79 years old and were reported in a conference abstract.
The paper
Univ of Minnesota
AHA Scientific Sessions 2026 Abstract, Nov 2, 2026
Presented at AHA Scientific Sessions 2026, abstract 13615
Comments
Be the first to comment.